Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-09-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
just for a Joke.

At SchollOpshell Farm on the wave-washed
shores of old Long Island. L1lias Brown came
courtcsying down into the great parlor in an
antique wedding dress and veil of time-yel-
lowed brocade and Brussels with high heel
satin boots and lOng-wristed gloves buttoned
with tiny knobs of discolorcd pearl, and no.
body was ut all surprised.
What u child" said Mrs. Brewster.
sit is Grandma Gillender's wedding Dress"
said Josie Brown. 81 tried it on once, but
couldn't button it around me-"
.'Wlcrc on earth did you find it ?" asked
Miss Lawrence.
Not at all unbecoming." said young DR..
Layard, with bright obscrvant eyes.
- But where is the groom ?" demanded saucy
Josie.
ALLOW me to officiatc," said DIR. Layard.
springing lightly to his feet and taking his po-
sition beside the pretty little apparitiOu in
white satin aud creamy lace.
: Harry Lawrence ut once struck an attitude
i'll front of the pair.
:' Lilias," said he, comically initiating the
drawl of good old snuff-taking DIR. Jugge,
:: will you take Augustine Layard to be your
own husband p
Say ycs!" prompted the young man at her
side-and Lilas laughingly answered, mot to
spoil a j"ke-yes!"
Augustine !" shouted Harry, "do you take
Lilias to be yonr welded wife, for richer, for
poorer. and all the rest of it ?'
OF course do" said Mr.. Layard, and a
pretty little wife she is in that long waistcd
gown and frill of lace"
Children" cried Mrs. Brewster. the oldest
of the party. although she has not yet attained
the nlatronly aye of eight and twenty, ''what
are you about ?"
Only having n little fun" said Lilias.-
Now. please don't scold."
- Bnt yon are trifling with far too serious
things" said Mrs. Brcwstcr-and Miss Law
renee looked shrcwdly up from under her white
eyclashes at the young pair.
"Idarc say you think it's very good joke" :"
said she, . but was ut Newport once where
there charadc, or tablcau. or something
of that sort. and two young people went
through the marriage service. and 10 aud be-
hold. then they were married hard and fast,
and"
But Lilias Brown stayed to listen to nothing
more. With little shrek of dismay she tore
off the wedding veil and flew away up stairs to
hide herself in the old yarrct where the rain
puLISICu Ol IlG sIIuSlcu EOOl ONCTuCdus uuu
the faint scent of sandal wood and dried rose
leaves floatcd out of the trunks and boxes
which she had just been rifling.
Married married !" she repeated to herself.
:. But it's nll nonscnsc-it must be nonsense! !
No law on the face of the earth would bear out
such piece of burlcsquc as that"
And Augustine Layard. smiling quietly at the
uproar and turmoil which surrounded him,
took book aud established himself in the
hammock on the sonth Vcranda, where the
tempest of rain beat around him in al direc-
tions without touching him, and the scent Of
the PROSTATE roses flied his nOstrils with every
gust of wind.
But little Mrs. Brewster was uneasy in her
mind. and when the wheels of the rockAway
which brought passengers from the evening
train were heard grating the gravel. she
rushed to meet her husband, a thriving young
New York lawyer.
"Tom." said she. "wait Don't go into the
hall just yet, want to tell you something"
Cant I even take off my overcoat ~ he
asked. laughing at her pretty eagerness.
"Tom !" she uttered brcathlcssly, listen,
do listcn.'
:'My dear, am all attention! :"
g. girl saws she will take man for her
husband-and he says he will take her for his
Wife"
"Bcfore Witnesses"
Yes, before witnesses-isita real marriage,
Ton:''
AS real marriage as if all the churches
sealed it," said Mr.. Brewster. And now let
me come in. Puss. for the air is damp. and the
shine of yonder wood fire on the hearth is not
Ste
Without lingering to question more, Mrs
Brewster flew up stairs to the garret. where
Lilias Brown was still crouching among the
old trunks and boxes.
'Irs just as 1 told you, Lille" " said she
- You are married."
Lilias' large blue eyes shOne like stars from
the background of her pallid face
:. But I won't be Inarried!' said she.
DR.. Layard was in the great sitting room
when she came shyly down. her eyes swollen
! with crying. her fair checks flushed
Come and sit down by me. Miss Brown, ="
he said, with a smile, as he made room for her
! on the sofa at his side
:. won't" she flashed ont. You have no
authority. over me. II am going away to-
He looked hard at her. "a Arc you running
| away from me, LliasS2 said he's -s sIss9